Queen and Meghan visit Cheshire on first joint trip

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Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Sussex at the opening of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, in Widnes, Cheshire

The Queen and Duchess of Sussex are in Cheshire for their first royal engagement together.

Her Majesty and newly-married Meghan officially opened the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Chester’s Storyhouse Theatre.

They then attended a lunch at Chester Town Hall as guests of the city council.

It is the first time the duchess has attended an event with the Queen without her husband Prince Harry.

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Media captionThe Queen and Duchess of Sussex arrive in Cheshire

Thousands of people were already waiting at the venues hours before the royal pair arrived, with stalls set up on the streets selling flags and souvenirs.

The Queen, wearing green in honour of Grenfell Tower fire victims on the first anniversary of the tragedy, and duchess were greeted by hundreds of cheering schoolchildren as they stepped off the royal train at Runcorn station.

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The Duchess of Sussex was wearing Givenchy and the Queen lime green Stewart Parvin

Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs MBE welcomed Meghan as she left the train, saying: “Welcome to Cheshire. I understand this is your first visit to northern England.”

The 36-year-old duchess, wearing a cream outfit by Givenchy, replied: “That’s right yes.”

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The Queen officially opening the Mersey Gateway Bridge

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It is the first time the Queen and the duchess have taken part in a royal event together without the duke

Abigail Grimes, a pupil at Runcorn’s Beechwood Primary School, was chosen to present the duchess with a posy of flowers as it was the youngster’s fifth birthday.

The Queen, wearing a Stewart Parvin outfit and matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, was given flowers by Jack Jackson, 10, from St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Widnes.

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The Duchess of Sussex accepts flowers from a schoolgirl in Runcorn

Grange Hill and Brookside creator Phil Redmond and wife Alexis, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, were among those gathered to greet the royals.

Mr Redmond joked he should have asked the US-born former actress Meghan if she wanted a part in his soap Hollyoaks.

“I didn’t ask her, but there’s still lunch yet. She’ll have to go through the audition process like everybody else.”

Mrs Redmond said: “It’s fantastic to have them here and it’s a big day for Cheshire.”

Kaleigh Watterson, BBC News Online, in Chester

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The Queen Elizabeth and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Storyhouse

It was a joyous afternoon in Chester for those who had taken to the streets with the hope of seeing the Queen and her granddaughter-in-law. Just before the royal party left the Storyhouse, the sun broke through the clouds much to the delight of the waiting crowds.

There were huge cheers as the Queen took to one side of the crowd and the Duchess to the other.

Meghan seemed like a natural in her new royal role and looked genuinely happy as she stopped to chat and shake hands with those assembled; many of them hadn’t expected she would have time to speak to them and were visibly moved.

The younger visitors in particular were charmed with Meghan – one group of children were gleefully telling their parents how they felt like they were now famous because the duchess had noticed them.

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Chloe, a six year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, awaits the arrival of the Queen and Duchess of Sussex in Chester

During the visit to the bridge the royals met architects, planners and community representatives and watched a performance from local schoolchildren before Her Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark the opening.